A recent study published in the journal Menopause, reports that women do experience some cognitive difficulties during menopause. Specifically, the troubles lies within the domains of attention and working memory, when you’re holding bits of information in your head to use immediately. Hooray for validation!

The study actually shows that women in menopause who have the cognitive complaints also have trouble sleeping and/or report symptoms of depression. Menopause has been known to set sleep and mood off kilter, which may be how menopause leads to mind fogginess. But lots of questions remain to be answered by more research, including factors associated with disrupted cognitive functioning, sleep, and mood.

At the very least, when you’re telling family or friends that you’re mind has become mush, you have proof to back it up!